Thin expansible band with coplanar springs



Aug. 31-, 1965 ZENICHI INOTSUME 3,203,200

THIN EXPANSIBLE BAND WITH COPLANAR SPRINGS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March21, 1963 JNVENTOR EN/CHI l/VdTJL/ME Y hmzzw M, g;

1965 ZENICHI INOTSUME 3,203,200

THIN EXPANSIBLE BAND WITH GOPLANAR SPRINGS Filed March 21, 1963 2smug-sheet 2 INVENTOR.

A rra RA/E'VS United States Patent 3,203,200 THEN EXPANSIBLE BAND WITHCOPLANAR SPRINGS Zenichi Inotsume, '4'3-3 'Oaza Kiba, Kurosaki-mura,Nishi-Karnbara-gun, Niigata-ken, Japan Filed Mar. 21, 1963, Ser. No.267,039 Claims priority, application Japan, May 15, 1962, 37/ 19,452 9Claims. (Cl. 63-5) This invention relates broadly to resilient linkbands, such 'as wrist watch band and the like, comprising a number oflink members connected resiliently with each other by one or moreelongated resilient means passing therethrough and attached at the bothends to the end links.

According to the conventional technique, the elongated resilient meanstake in most cases the form of coil springs.

It is one of the considerable drawbacks inherent in these kinds ofresilient band that when it is subjected to a stronger tension the coilsprings are liable to attain a permanent set. When this occurs, theband" cannot recover its Original shape, thus losing its resiliency atleast partially.

It is a further inherent drawback in these conventional kinds ofresilient band that when it is desired to furnish a smart band which isvery thin, the desired construction cannot be realized because of theprovision of the elongated coil springs within the band, as these coilsprings have relatively large diameters or lateral dimensions.

If stronger coil springs are used to obtain an increased resiliency ofthe band, the thickness of the band must be correspondingly increased.Conversely, if it is desired to provide a very thin band, the coilsprings must be correspondingly made smaller in diameter with acorresponding decrease in resiliency of the band.

It is, therefore, the main object of the present invention to provideresilient bands such as, for instance, wristwatch bands, havingincreased resiliency and enhanced thinness.

It is another object of the invention to provide resilient bands of thekind above referred to, which have a very simple construction and areeasy to manufacture and cheaper in their price.

In order to fulfill the above objects, the band according to thisinvention comprises a resilient framework comprising in turn two or moreelongated wire elements firmly connected with each other at spacedpositions, each of said wires being in a zig-zag shape comprising anumber of alternate triangles. Thanks to such configuration of thespring wire, it is possible to employ a stronger framework so as toprovide enough resiliency. If tensioned the resilient framework as awhole will resist the external force and the number of triangles canprovide etfective resistance thereto. The resilient framework is ofsubstantially flattened design so that the thickness of the band can bekept to a minimum, if desired.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments When read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of part of a resilient framework adapted toprovide resiliency to a link band which includes such framework;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the normal stafe of such a link band,wherein the band is illustrated only part thereof and partially has beenbroken away in order to reveal the inside construction;

3,203,200 Patented Aug. 31, 1965 FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional viewtaken along a transverse line through one of the connectors 3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the band above referred to, shown in itstensioned state;

FIG. 5 is a detail perspective view of the modification of connectingmeans for uniting two resilient elements so as to form the resilientframework;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the modified connecting means taken alongthe line VIVI in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another modified connecting means;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of part of a modified band, wherein theimaginary line represents a link member;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a part of a further modified band in itsnormal or contracted state;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a decorative synthetic resin coverpiece assembled with a band link; and

FIG. 11 is a developed plan view of a band link.

Now referring to the drawings, especially FIG. 1 thereof, 1 and 2 denotetwo wire elements made of carbon steel, stainless steel, Phosphor bronzeor the like spring material, and each shaped in a zig-zag formcomprising a number of alternately oppositely directed similartriangles. These two elongated spring wire elements are united into aresilient framework, expandable in its longitudinal direction, by meansof a number of metal strips 3, each of which is shaped by bending into ahollow tube embracing a pair of adjoining sides of two oppositetriangles belonging, respectively, to the wire elements 1-2. It will benoted from FIG. 1 that these small tubes are arranged along the centerline of the thus formed framework at spaced positions, thus preventingsaid two wires from separating physically from each other.

The resilient framework is covered by a number of box elements 4, eachof which is wide enough to wholly contain one of said connecting tubeelements 3. The length of the box element 4 is so selected as tocompletely cover the width of the framework generally denoted by A inFIG. 1. The box element 4 is made from a substantially cross-shapedmetal sheet 5 (FIG. 11) having a relativley large flap 5a and threesmall flaps 5b, 5c and 5d, by bending along eight folding lines shown inthe drawing by imaginary lines. The cross-shaped sheet elements 5 arepreferably made from a metal strip by stamping, as will be easilyimagined by those skilled in the art. The original shape of sheetelement 5 is preferably so selected that four small openings 6 can beautomatically produced in the course of the box-shaping job. 01'alternatively, these openings 6 may be produced by mechanical drillingafter completion of each of the said box elements. The openings 6 servefor loosely or slidably receiving the outer chords of the framework A asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the normal state of the thus providedresilient band, box elements 4 occupy side-by-side positions with asmall gap between each pair thereof. When tensioned by being subjectedto an external tensile force acting in the longitudinal direction of theband, the small gap is naturally caused to increase and theaforementioned triangles are expanded, to a more or less degree, intowidened U- shapes as illustrated in FIG. 4. When released, the band willrecover its original contracted shape automatically by its ownresiliency.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a modification of the connecting means described inthe foregoing as a metal tube. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, twowire elements are united together by flexible metal strips 3a woundaround each two adjoining chords of these elements, of which only one ofsuch uniting positions is illustrated in FIG. 5 or 6, respectively.

In FIG. 7, there is shown a further modification of the connectingmeans, each of which comprises two separate clips 7a and 7b. a

In a modified band according to this invention shown in FIG. 8, wireelements 8 and 9 have each a rectangular cross-section instead of around one as in the foregoing embodiments. In this case, connectingmeans are also somewhat modified so as to be hollow tubes 10 ofrectangular cross-section. Cover elements 11 are substantially similarto those denoted by 4 in the foregoing embodiments, except that corneropenings 12 are of rectangular instead of round configuration, so as toreceive snugly, yet slidably the corresponding chords of the resilientframework denoted generally by B.

In a still further modified band shown in FIG. 9, cover element 13comprises a hollow rectangular sheath having open ends, through each ofwhich a pair of chords of the resilient framework extend. Thisconstruction provides for more free relative movement of resilienttriangles.

As can be readily understood, the resilientframe employed in each of theforegoing embodiments has an ample bending resiliency to meet occasionalconditions in use. If it is desired to increase the bending resiliencyin the plane perpendicular to that of the band, the thickness of thecover element should preferably be selected somewhat larger than that ofthe resilient wire.

In a further embodiment shown in FIG. 10, cover element 13 is enclosedin a decorative synthetic resin sheath 14, thus obtaining a rather softtouch and a superior de sign effect.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that according to the presentinvention a more resilient, permanent-setfree, thinner link band can beobtained with simpler construction.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention,and therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A resilient band comprising, in combination, plural relativelyelongated resilient frames arranged in laterally juxtaposedsubstantially coplanar relation; each of said frames comprising arelatively elongated continuous resilient wire bent in zig-zag fashionto define a plurality of coplanar longitudinally juxtaposedsubstantially similar triangles, longitudinally adjacent triangles ofeach frame being oppositely oriented laterally of said plural frames;the bases of alternate triangles of each frame being normallysubstantially rectilinearly aligned to define one normally rectilinearlongitudinal edge of the associated frame, and the bases of triangles ofeach frame, intermediate said alternate triangles, being normallysubstantially rectilinearly aligned to define a second normallyrectilinear longitudinal edge of the associated frame; alternatetriangles of each frame each having its base juxtaposed andsubstantially coextensive with the base of a respective alternatetriangle of the laterally adjacent frame; connecting means joining thejuxtaposed bases of each pair thereof to each other; and plural linkmembers loosely mounted on said plural frames in longitudinallysubstantially juxtaposed relation, each link member having a length ofthe order of that of said triangle bases and a width substantially equalto the overall widths of said juxtaposed frames, said link membersengaging laterally extending elements of said frames to limit expansionof said band.

2. A resilient band as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of saidconnecting means comprises a metal strip shaped into a tube.

3. A resilient band as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of saidconnecting means comprises an elongated metal strip Wound into a coil.

4. A resilient band as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of saidconnecting means comprises two or more metal rings.

5. A resilient band, as set forth in claim 1, wherein adjacent trianglesin each frame have one side in common.

6. A resilient band, as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said linkmembers has a box-shape and confines a respective lateral row of saidtriangles within the interior space thereof.

7. A resilient band, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the laterallyextending sides of each box-type link member are apertured, adjacent theopposite longitudinal edges of the respective link member, for slidableextension of triangle hases therethrough.

8. A resilient band, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said box-type linkmembers are open at laterally opposite longitudinally extending endsthereof whereby the frame edge defining triangle bases extend exteriorlyof said box-type link members.

9. A resilient band comprising, in combination, plural relativelyelongated resilient frames arranged in laterally juxtaposedsubstantially coplanar relation; each of said frames comprising arelatively elongated continuous resilient wire bent in zig-zag fashionto define a plurality of coplanar longitudinally juxtaposedsubstantially similar triangles, longitudinally adjacent triangles ofeach frame being oppositely oriented laterally of said plural frames;the bases of alternate triangles of each frame being normallysubstantially rectilinearly aligned to define one normally rectilinearlongitudinal edge of the associated frame, and the bases of triangles ofeach frame, intermediate said alternate triangles, being normallysubstantially rectilinearly aligned to define a second normallyrectilinear longitudinal edge of the associated frame; alternatetriangles of each frame each having its base juxtaposed andsubstantially coextensive with the base of a respective alternatetriangle of the laterally adjacent frame; means interconnectinglaterally adjacent frames to each other at points spaced uniformlylongitudinally of said band; and plural link members loosely mounted onsaid plural frames in longitudinally substantially juxtaposed relation,each link member having a length of the order of that of said trianglebases and a width substantially equal t-o the overall widths of saidjuxtaposed frames, said link members engaging laterally extendingelements of said frames to limit expansion of said band.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,140,445 5/ 15Collingwood 63-5 X 1,847,901 3/32 Roy 63-4 X 2,115,022 4/38 Kastner2-339 2,443,191 6/48 Miller 267-73 X 2,553,563 5/51 Feid 63-5.l2,564,744 8/51 Wilkening 63-5 X FOREIGN PATENTS 466,750 11/51 Italy.

OTHER REFERENCES German printed application S 41,494, Sparn, July 19,1956.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

1. A RESILIENT BAND COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, PLURAL RELATIVELYELONGATED RESILIENT FRAMES ARRANGED IN LATERALLY JUXTAPOSEDSUBSTANTIALLY COPLANAR RELATION; EACH OF SAID FAMES COMPRISING ARELATIVELY ELONGATED CONTINUOUS RESILIENT WIRE BENT IN ZIG-ZAG FASHIONTO DEFINE A PLURALITY OF COPLANAR LONGITUDINALLY JUXTAPOSEDSUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TRIANGLES, LONGITUDINALLY ADJACENT TRIANGLES OFEACH FRAMES; BEING OPPOSITELY ORIENTED LATERALLY OF SAID PLURAL FRAMES;THE BASES OF ALTERNATE TRIANGELS OF EACH FRAME BEING NORMALLYSUBSTANTIALLY RECTILINERALY ALIGNED TO DEFINE ONE NORMALLY RECTILINEARLONGITUDINAL EDGE OF THE ASSOCIATED FRAME, AND THE BASES OF TRIANGLES OFEACH FRAME, INTERMEDIATE SAID ALTERNATE TRIANGLES, BEING NORMALLYSUBSTANTIALLY RECTILINEARLY ALIGNED TO DEFINE A SECOND NORMALLYRECTILINEAR LONGITUDINAL EDGE OF THE ASSOCIATED FRAME, ALTERNATETRIANGLES OF EACH FRAME EACH HAVING ITS BASE JUXTAPOSED ANDSUBSTANTIALLY COEXTENSIVE WITH THE BASE OF A RESPECTIVE ALTERNATETRIANGLE OF THE LATERALLY ADJACENT FRAME; CONNECTING MEANS JOINING THEJUXTAPOSED BASES OF EACH PAIR THEREOF TO EACH OTHER; AND PLURAL LINKMEMBERS LOOSELY MOUNTED ON SAID PLURAL FRAMES IN LONGITUDINALLYSUBSTANTIALLY JUXTAPOSED RELATION, EACH LINK MEMBER HAVING A LENGTH OFTHE ORDER OF THAT OF SAID TRANGLE BASES AND A WIDTH SUBSTANTIALLY EQUALTO THE OVERALL WIDTHS OF SAID JUXTAPOSED FRMES, SAID LINK MEMBERSENGAGING LATERALLY EXTENDING ELEMENTS OF SAID FRAMES TO LIMIT EXPANSIONOF SAID BAND.